Eugene E. Kennedy Passes Away
Wednesday, November 7, 2012

He was born December 31, 1912 in Taylorville, the son of Roy and Edna (Pope) Kennedy. He was a 1931 graduate of Taylorville Township High School. In 1935 he married Alice Carnahan of Mt. Vernon, IL at the Methodist Parsonage in Vandalia, IL. She preceded him in death in 1996. He was the owner of Kennedy Supply Company and Kennedy Redi-Mix in Taylorville providing many jobs for the community. As a general contractor he went on to build many of the landmark schools, churches, factories, medical facilities and homes in central Illinois. He and his father established Kennedy Pony Farm in 1919 and he went on to great success as a trainer, breeder and showman of Hackney, Shetland and Welsh ponies. He was an internationally recognized horseman who participated in and judged many national shows. During his life he served as a Superintendent of the Ordinance Plant in Illiopolis during World War II, was a past president of the American Hackney Horse Society and Mid-West Hackney Assn., member of Judson University Board, the American Horse Shows Assn., United Professional Horseman's Assn., American Shetland Pony Club, Illinois Horse and Pony Breeders and Exhibitors Assn., charter member of the Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders Assn., and charter member of the Taylorville FFA. Gene was a 65+ year member of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, a member of Taylorville Builders Assn. receiving their lifetime achievement award, Christian County Agricultural Fair, Rotary, actively served the Illinois Baptist State Convention, and First Baptist Church in Taylorville.

He is survived by son, Pat (Jay) Kennedy of Muncie, IN; grandchildren, Carole Kennedy (Mark Morton) of Taylorville, Cathy (Stuart) Lowrey of Louisville, KY, David (Heidi) Kennedy of Enid, OK, and John Kennedy (Michelle Deschenes) of Belleville; great-grandchildren, John and Rachel Lowrey, Jordan and Josephine Kennedy and Emma Kennedy. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; two brothers, Bruster Kennedy and Samuel Kennedy, two sisters Henrietta McCord Barnes and Betty Jane Waterman, and one grandchild Kevin Patrick.

Visitation will take place at Shafer-Perfetti Funeral Home in Taylorville at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 10, 2012. The service will follow at 11:00 a.m., with Dr. John Curtis officiating. Burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville.

Shafer-Perfetti Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to:
Taylorville Emergency Food Pantry
c/o First Baptist Church
303 East Market Street
Taylorville IL 62568

Or to:
Memorial Home Service Hospice
720 North Bond Street
Springfield IL 62702

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